Shelving



Dec. 27, 1927. 1,654,183

L. MAYER SHELVING Filed Dec. 5, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l I g U Dec. 27, 1927.

L. MAYER SHELVING Filed Dec. 5, 1924 2 Sheets-Swat 2 INVENTOR.

% A TTORNE Y.

Patented Dec. 27, 1927.

' UNITED STATES LEO MAYER, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHELVIN G.

Application filed December 3, 1924.

This invention relates to racks or shelving 0f the character used in large refrigerators, store-rooms, storage warehouses, and the like.

It is desirable thatshelving of this type be so constructed that it can be quickly set up or taken down and removed to a new location, or the shelves be re-arranged, as desired, to suit different. conditions! \Vhere such shelving is used in refrigerators it is also essential that the shelves be readily removable for cleaning. In prior construetions designed to afford these advantages it has been customary to use brackets to support the shelves, these bracketsgbcing secured to posts which. together with the shelves, form a collapsible rack. The brackets usually consist of castings having dove-tail sockets to receive CUll'CSPOINllHgly shaped pieces riveted to the shelves. After such shelving has been installed for a suhstantial length of time and it is then attempted to remove the shelves, it is found that the parts are stuck in their sockets so firmly that considerable labor is required to disconnect them. This construction also is relatively expensive. A further objection to these prior arrangements is that the posts are supported in their operative positions solely by the shelves, and when the shelves are removed the posts are left without support, and the subsequent operation of replacing the shelves really requires the entire reassembling of the rack.

The present invention has for its general object to improve the construction of shelving and racks of the character above designated with a view especially to reducing the expense of manufacture, to devising a corn struction which will aeconnnodate av greater variety of conditions than has been possible with prior constructions, and facilitating the removal and replacing of the shelves.

The invention involves both improvements in the general organization of racks of this type, and also a novel bracket construction and a novel form of shelf.

The nature of the invention will be readily understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view indicating a typical plan arrangement of shelving;

Serial No. 753,615.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a shelf embodying one feature of this invention;

0 Fig tlis a cross sectional view on the line u=3, lug. 2;

Fig. 4; is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a modified shelf construction;

Fig. is a perspective viewshowing certanrfcatnres of a rack embodying this invention;

Fig. 6 is a. plan view, partly in cross sec tion, on a. large scale showing the details of construction of the shelves and their support shown in the upper left-hand corner of Fig. 1;

Figs. 7 and 8 are perspective views of two brackets embodying features of this inventron;

Fig. 0 is a plan view of the corner construction of the rack shown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view on the l1l1( 1010, Fig. 9.

11 is a perspective view of a corner reinforcing member. 1

Referring first to Fig. 1, three racks of slightly different construction are indicated at A, B and C, respectively, these racks all being located in the chamber of a refrigerator l). The rack shown at. A is illustrated more in detail in Fig. 5, this figure showing, however, simply the top and bottom shelves and the parts associated therewith, the intermediate shelf or shelvesbeing omitted.

Referring to the latter figure it will be seen that the rack comprises four posts indicated, respectively, at 2. 3. 4 and 5. Preferably these posts are made of galvanized metal tubing of square cross section. Se cured near the upper end of each post is a bracket (3 preferably of substantially tble construction shown on a larger scale in Fig. 7. From the latter figure it will be seeh that the bracket is shaped to fit around a square post, but has an offset 7 at one side. thereof which is separated from the other portion of the clamp at this side by a shoulder 8. Between this shoulder and the corner 9 of the clamp is a vertical groove 10. For the purpose of clamping this bracket secure l v on a post. two bolts l21-2 preferablv having wing nuts are provided. these brackets extending through the portions of theclamp at opposite sides of the split therein. A slot 14 is formed in one wall of this clamp in alinement with the groove 10. as clearly shown in the drawings. I

The top shelf shown in Fig. 5 comprises llt) two side angle iron members 16 -16 both extending the entire length of the shelf. and riveted to two end angle members 1717'. A series of flat metal bars or slats 18 extend across the shelf and have their ends riveted to the two angle iron members. 161(5'. Referring to the clamps 66 on the posts 2 and 5, it will be seen that they are of exactly the construction shown in Fig. 7, and it wiil also be clear that the clamps 66 on the posts 3 and 4, respectively, are like that shown in Fig. 7 except that the clamp is reversed or upside down. In other words, the clamp 6 is exactly like the clamp shown in Fig. 7 except that the slot 14 instead of being cut from the upper edge of the clamp down, is

' cut from the bottom upwardly, the relative location of this slot with respect to the rest of the clamp remaining the same.

Referring again to Fig. it will be observed that the vertical flange of the lefthand angle iron member 17 is located in the slot 14. The end of this flange extends into the space between the post and the wall 7 and preferably abuts against the inner surface of the part 8. The end of the vertical flange of the rear angle iron member 16 is located in the groove The two vertical flanges of these members 17 and 16 are separated by a short slot in which the wall of the shoulder 8 is positioned. This arrangement is somewhat more clearly shown in Fig. 9 in which the location of the vertical flanges of the angle iron members 16 and 17 with reference to parts of the bracket 6' are very clearly illustrated. The same relative arrangement of parts is found at the opposite end of the rack.

Due to the location of one flange of the corner of the shelf in the slot 14, and the other flange at said corner in the groove 10, with the shoulder 8 projecting into the slot between the ends of the two flanges at this corner, this portion of the shelf is securelyinterlocked with the bracket. Furthermore, this interlocking relationship is obtained without the use of tapered surfaces which are objectionable for the reasons above mentioned in discussing prior constructions.

As many shelves as desired may be mounted on the posts 2, 3, 4 and 5, each shelf being supported by four brackets in the same manner that the top shelfis supported. Whenever it is desired to remove one of these shelves for cleaning or for any other reason, it is simply necessary to lift it clear of the brackets and then pass it forward between the posts and carry it out of the refrigerator. It can be replaced again by a reversal of-these movements.

In order to hold the upper ends of the four posts in their proper relationship to each other when the shelves are removed, two diagonal braces 20 and 21 are provided, both braces preferably being made of angle iron and the brace 20 connecting the two brackets 6--6 while the brace 21 connects the two brackets 6'-6.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10 it will be seen that the left-hand end of the brace 21 is riveted to a gusset or plate 22' which is secured to the bracket G by the bolts 12. This gusset also has an extension 23 which is riveted to an end brace 21 that connects the bracket 6 on the post 3 with. the bracket 6 on the post 2. The connection between each bracket and its brace is substantially like that sliownin Fig. 9. The same con struction also is used under the lowermost shelf so that the posts are secured in their operative positions independently of the shelves. All of. the shelves, therefore, can be removed without disturbing the support for the posts. This is an. important practical advantage for many locations and particularly in refrigerators where the shelves must be removed at relatively frequent intervals for cleaning.

As above stated, Fig. 6 shows more in detail the arrangement illustrated diagrammatically in the upper left-hand corner of F ig. 1. In this construction a single post 25 forms a supporting element common to both the shelves B and C of the racks B and C, and for this vpurpose a double bracket 26 is clamped on this post. The construction of this bracket is best shown in Fig. 8 from which it will be seen that it is like the bracket 7 except that it has two'ofl'sets 27 and 28, and the front plate 29 is made entirely separate from the remainder of the bracket. This plate is provided with slots 30 and 31, and the bracket is clamped on the posts by bolts 12. as before.

The shelf C, Fig. 6, is made like the top shelf shown in Fig. 5, and the vertical flange at the forward edge of this plate sets in the slot 30, while the end flange ot' the shelf B sets in the slot 31.

It is preferable not to use a post at the front edge of the shelf B where it adjoins the shelf C, but in order to connect these two shelves at this point a bracket 32, Fig. 6, like the bracket 6, is riveted to the front edge of the shelf C, a short section 33 of one of the square posts preferably being secured to the inside of this bracket to reinforce it. The connection between this bracket and the end of the shelf B is exactly like that between this shelf and the bracket 26.

The rearward left-hand corner, Fig. 6, of the shelf 7 is notched or cut out to receive the post 34. The bracket 35 which is clamped to this post is like the bracket 6, Fig. 5. A short plate 36 is riveted to the end angle bar 37 of the bracket C, and the end of this plate is folded downwardly to form a vertical portion that will enter the slot 14 in the bracket. For the purpose of connecting the part 37 with the angle bar 38 which extends along one side of the shelf, the depending portion of the part- 36 is provided with an angular extension 40 which is secured by rivets 41 to the vertical flange of the angle bar 38. The shape of this reinforcing member, including the parts 36 and 40, is best shown in Fig. 11.

A novel shelf construction which may be substituted for that above described is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This shelf comprises a sheet metal plate 42 having a series of slots 43 punched therethrough and spaced evenly from each other so that they divide the surface of the plate, in effect, into a series of transverse bars all integrally connected with each other. These slots provide for the free circulation of air and at the same time reduce the weight of the shelf. In order to stiffen the shelf and also for the purpose of enabling the shelf to be supported in the manner above described, the margin of the plate is folded downwardly and preferably upwardly again, as best shown in Fig. 3, to provide a flange 44. Preferably this flange is formed on all four sides of the shelf. If desired, also, the metal at the edges of the slots 43 can be forced downwardly, as shown at 45 in Fig. 3 to provide flanges surrounding these slots, and these flanges also will stiffen the body of the plate. This construction is desirable when the shelves are relatively large, but when they are small enough to render this additional stiffening unnecessary, the flanges 45 may be omitted, as shown in Fig. 4.

In clamping the bracket to one of the pots the bolt which is below the slot 14 is relied upon chiefly, although the other bolt, also, is'useful in this connection. The latter bolt. however, is provided more particularly for the purpose of securing the braces to the bracket.

It will now be evident that this invention embodies a substantial improvement over prior form of shelf or rack constructions. The general organization of the rack is superior in that the posts are firmlv supported inde wndently of the shelves, and the shelves may be \cry c:lr-ll placed in their proper positions in the rack or removed therefrom. The brackets ll(l\\'ll can be manufactured \'cl ccoimmically, and they are convenient to instal or remove. This construction also lends it-i-lf readily to the various conditions encountered in making installations, and permitting the arrangement of shelves to suit the space. t vailablc. The shelf construction shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 further is of advantage in facilitating cleaning since it has no creases or crevices to catch and hold the dirt and make the operation of cleaning more difficult. This construction also is very economical to manufacture. This construction is also neater than the angle iron and bar construction which has been more commonly used heretofore.

While I have herein shown and described the best embodiment of my invention that I have so far devised, I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of the construction shown.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim as new is:

1. In a rack of the character described, the combination of a post, a bracket secured to said post, a shelf having a downwardly projecting marginal flange along each edge thereof at one corner of the shelf, said bracket having a slot therein to receive one of said flanges and having a shoulder to engage the end portion of the other flange, the ends of said flanges bein separated from each other at said corner fry a short slot in which the wall of the bracket at said shoul der is located.

:2. A bracket for supporting a shelf or the like, comprising a split clamp shaped to embrace a post and having an offset at one side. thereof with a vertical groove in the bracket at one edge of said offset, a slot in another part of said clamp at said side, said slot being substantially in alineinent with the space in said offset, and means for acting on the split portions of said clamp to cause it to grip a post.

3. A bracket for supporting a shelf or the like, comprising a split clamp shaped to fit around a. square post and having an offset at one side thereof with a groove between the end of said offset and the corner of the clamp, said offset providing a space between the post and the wall of the offset to receive a part of the shelf, a slot formed in another part of said clamp in alinement with said space to receive said part, and a bolt extending through the split portions of the clamp to secure it to the post.

4. In a rack of the character described, the combination of a supporting post, a bracket removably secured to said post, said bracket having a slot. in one wall thereof and having an adjacent wall offset: from the po t to provide a space bet ween the post and the wall of the bracket in line with said wall. a shelf having a downwardly projecting marginal flange along each edge thereof at one corner of the shelf, one of said flanges being positioned in said slot and in the space between said post and the offset wall, the ends of said flanges being separated from each other at said corner by a slot in which the wall of said bracket is located.

LEO M AYEII.

loo

lltl 

